Venetian blind and adjustable selflocking detachable fastener for cord ends



May 14 1946 y J. .GuLAs, sR i y 2,400,198

l VENETIAN BLIND AND ADJUSTABLE SELF-LOCKING DETACHABLE FASTENER FORCORD ENDS Filed July 1, 1944 ZYSheetS-She'c l INVENTOR John Galas, SJ: v

May 14, 1946. J. sums, SR 2,400,198

VENETIAN BLIND AND ADJUSTABLE SELF-LOCKING DETACHABLE FASTENER FOR CORDENDS Y Filed July l, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 wvlllllI/ 2 8 INVENTOR .DJahnv Gulasr.

Patented May 14, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE VENETIAN BLIND ANDADJUSTABLE SELF- LOCKING DETACHABLEV FASTENER FOR CORD ENDS 14 Claims.

This invention relates generally to 'Venetian blinds and moreparticularly to a detachable fastener for the end of the cords and is ofthe selflocking type in which the parts are so arranged and disposedrelative an aperture passing through the bottom board or slat, that thefixture may be adjusted so as to render one end of the fixture readilyaccessible for attachment or detachment of the end of the natural cordof the Venetian blind, without the necessity for special fittings foreffecting the detachable connection. The fastenerrincludes an adjustablemeans which may be of ornamental nature so as to present a neat andpleasing appearance disposed on the under surface of the bottom. boardor slat, which means may be manipulated or employed to render theopposite end of the fastener either accessible or y unaccessible for theready and convenient attachment or detachment of the end of the naturalcord. After the end ofthe cord has been secured to the fastener orfixture, `while in an accessible position above the top face of thebottom board or slat ofthe Venetian blind, the means disposed on theunder side or. face of the bottom board may be actuated in a. manner todraw or move the lower end of the cord at its point of attachment withthe fastener, downward and withintheaper-V ture which passes through.the bottom vboard of the Venetian blind so as to render the sameunaccessible, and to present a neat and'pleasing appearanceby concealingthe end.` of the cord at its point of connectionwith the fastener,within the aperture. Further, the relation of the various parts,including the end of the cordand the upper or head end of the bodyportion ofthe f fastener, relative the walls of the aperture, are suchthat thewalls of the cavity serve as a locking aperture to. preventremoval or separation', either accidental or otherwise of the end of thecord from the fastener.

Various types of fasteners haveiheretofore been used to effect adetachable connection between the end of the cord of the. Venetianblind. and the bottom boardor slat, but so far as is known, none of thefasteners and devices heretofore employed, have presented the advantagesand characteristics above indicated. Certain of the fasteners anddevices heretofore employed have required special fittings orfixtures'for effecting aA connection with either one or both members,including the end` have been employed. in. whichthe parts forv effect-Aingv a detachable connection require a special fixture for permanentattachment to the end 0f the cord, together with other means; which ifconcealed, are not readily accessible or vertically adjustable, forattachment of the end of the cord with the special permanently attachedfitting thereto, to the bottom. board.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a verticallyadjustable detachable fastener for the end of the cord of Venetianblinds which will overcome the disadvantages and objections of certainof the detachable fasteners for the cord ends, as heretofore employed inthe prior art.

A further object is to provide a detachable fastener foi-"the end of thecord having the characteristic ofbeing readily and conveniently directlyattached to the natural cord. ends of Venetian blinds already in use,and which at the same time is economical to manufacture and whichpresents a neat and pleasing appearance, and maybe made ornamental ifdesired.

Afurther object is to provide a detachable fastenerv for the end ofcords of Venetian blinds which may be so arranged and'disposed relativean'aperture passing through the bottom or slat of the Venetian blind,that the end of the fastener to which the end ofthe cord is secured,.mayb'e readily,l moved orverticallyadjusted to an accessible position abovethe top face of the bottomboard for effecting a detachableA connectionwith the cord, or drawn within the aperture so as to be concealed therewithin, and so' that the walls of the aperture serve asa locking meansto prevent removal or separation of the cord .end from the fastener andthe bottom board.

One selectedV embodiment and certain modifications are shown in theaccompanying drawings and described in the following specification.

Figure 1 is an elevation of a portion of a Vene tian blind vand anenlarged broken fragmentA showing in section on the left side of thegure, a portion of the bottom slat or board of the blind, together withthe fitting," with the upper 0r head end thereof in an accessibleposition above thek as a lock to prevent the separation of the end ofthe cord from the xture, either accidentally or otherwise;

Figure 2 is an enlarged fragment in section, taken on the line andlooking in the direction of the arrows II-II of Figure l;

Figure 3 is an enlarged fragment in section showing a modified form inwhich the natural cord end is fastened directly to the upper head end ofthe vertically adjustable body portion of the fastener, by a suitablyformed knot or loop at the end of the cord, which head portion, togetherwith the cord end, is shown drawn below the top face of the bottom slatto an inaccessible position;

Figure 4 is a perspective showingmore clearly the slotted portion, inthe tubular member of Figure 3, to restrain rotation of the head andbody portion when the nut member, threaded on the lower end, is rotatedto adjust the vertical position of the cord end secured to the head, toa position either above or below the top face of the bottom slat;

Figure 5 is a plan view of a modified form of washer that may beemployed to cooperate with the bottom actuating nut to permit relativerotation of the nut in either direction, and yet to retain the nut inproper position on the bottom face of the Slat'l when the cord isdetached;

Figure 6 is a side view of Figure 5 showing more clearly the characterof the retaining ears for cooperating with the actuating nut and alsoone means for attachment to the bottom face of the slat;

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragment in section showing a modified form inwhich the looped or knotted end of the natural cord may be detachablysecured to the upper or head end of the body portion of the fastenershown as a member having a tubular body portion which is verticallymovable, as in the other forms, but still retaining the common featureof vertical adjustability in order to withdraw the upper or head portionof the fastener with the cord end connected thereto, within the apertureso as to still retain the locking feature of preventing the removal ordetachment of the cord end from the fastener during the normalfunctioning of the cord in the Venetian blind, but yet permitting readyand convenient disengagement of the cord end from the fastener when thehead portion with the cord attached thereto is adjusted upwardly to anaccessible position above the top face of the bottom slat. One of theadvantages of the modified forms shown in Figures 3 and 7 is that a loopor knot at the end of the natural cord may be employed for effecting thedetachable connection with the fastener, without the necessity foremploying an independent separate fastening means which is usually firstrequired to be permanently secured to the end of the cord, beforeeffecting a detachable connection with the head of the body portion ofthe fastener;

Figure 81s a top plan of the head of the tubular body of Figure '7showing more clearly the laterally extending slotted aperture in the topof the vertically movable body portion of the fastener, through whichslot the cord at a point above the knot at the end thereof, is moved;

Figure 9 is a fragment of Figure 7, showing more clearly in sideelevation the aperture in the side wall of the body portion of thefastener, through which the knotted end of the cord is passed ineffecting the detachable connection between the cord end and fastener,so that the aper- Vboard I. and outside of the aperture 1.

broken fragment in section, the threaded aperture at the base to receivea threaded stem of the adjusting member.

As shown in Figure 1, the bottom board I is shown partly in section andthe particular fixture is shown in two different positions and relationswith respect to the end of the supporting cord 2.

The upper head portion of the fixture on the left side of Figure 1 isshown in a readily accessible position to permit either ready removal orattachment of the connector 3 at the end of cord 2 with the headconnector portion 4 at the upper end of the body portion of a threadedscrew member 5. It will be noted that the hooked connector 4 is in aposition above the top surface of the bottom slat or board I in order topermit the removal of the connector 3 from such hooked connector 4.

When the Venetian blind is in assembled and operative position, therelation of the various parts of the fixture is as shown at the end ofcord at the right side of Figure 1. An enlarged section taken on thelines and looking in the direction of the arrows II-II of Figure l, isshown in Figure 2.

As shown in Figure 2, it will be apparent that with the various parts inoperative assembled and normally functioning position, that the hookedhead end 4 with the connector 3 attached thereto, is drawn downwardwithin the aperture 'l which extends through the bottom board l of theVenetian blind. By such a structure and arrangement of parts, the wallsof the aperture 'I serve as a means preventing the removal of theconnector 3 at the end of the cord 6, from the hooked connector 4. Inother words, the walls of the aperture 1 serve as a lock to preventdisengagement of the connector 3 and the hook 4. A further advantageofsuch an arrangement is that a neat and trim appearance is presentedbecause the head 4 and the connector 3 are concealed within the aperturel'.

Various arrangements and specific structures may be employed forenabling the above results and relation of parts to be effected, Asshown in Figures 1 and 2, means are provided for adjustably controllingthe movement either upward or down, of the head 4 and body portion 5shown in this form as a screw Stem or shank. A nut member 8 is threadedon the shank 5 for this purpose. The nut 8 is also of a type whichconceals the threaded shank screw member 5, and serves as an ornamentalfixture. When the parts are in assembled functioning relation, the nutand ornamental member assumes Vthe position as shown in Figure 2.

There is also provided preferably an arrangement and means whereby asthe ornamental nut 8 is rotated in one direction on the threaded shank5, the hook 4 will be moved upward so as to be above the top surface ofthe bottom For this purpose, there is provided a Washer-like member 9which is preferably counter-sunk with- -in the bottom face of the bottomboard I so as to be flush therewith and present a neat appearance,although this is not essential. Such washer-like member may be securedin position vin any suitable manner such for example, as by screws IQ(see Figure 2), or by vprong-like portions I (see Figures 5 and 6) whichmight be struck or `bent upward from the washer-like member l! anddriven into the wood.

There is preferably, though not necessarily also pro-vided a spring IIwhich is interposed between the washer-like member 9, and another stopor washer-like member I2 which is disposed just below the head 4 on theupper end of the screw shank member 5. Said washer-like member I2 servesas a stop or seat for the other or upper end of the spring il and mayabut against suitable lugs 22 (see Figure 3). Preferably, though notessential, a sleeve or cup-like member I3 extends upwardly from the topside of the lower washer member 9 and serves the double purpose ofhousing the lower end of the spring Il,`and also serves as a convenientmeans of positioning the washer 9 with respect to the walls of theaperture 'I at the lower end thereof, as the sleevelike member I3preferably snugly fits within the walls at the lower end of the aperture`I.

The spring I I also serves as a means for yieldingly maintaining theadjustable nut 8 in normal position below the bottom slat, when the cordend is disconnected from the head li, and in the form shown in Figures land 2 also tends to restrain rotation of the body 5 and head portion 4,with and upon rotation `of the adjusting nut 8.

After the connector 3 at the lower end of the cord 2, has beendisconnected from the end of the head or hook member Il, as shown inFigure l, the slats It (see Figure 2), may be withdrawn by drawing thecord 6 upward through the apertures vlli of the slats.

After the cord 6 has been withdrawn upwardly, the various slats I4 maybe withdrawn from one side of the Venetian blind and removed from thehorizontal cross tapes i5 on which the slat strips Eli are supported.The ends of the cross tape supports I6 are in turn suitably secured attheir ends to the vertically extending tape supports I1 in aconventional manner.

Modied forms of the invention are shown in Figure 3, and Figure '7,wherein the end of the cord is detachably secured directly to the upperhead portion 30 of the body portion 24 of the fastener, without thenecessity for use of separate and independent fastening means which arepermanently secured to the end of the cord, for effecting a detachableconnection with the head portion of the fastener through the means ormedium of such separate and independent connector means. This is anadvantageous feature from the standpoint of convenience, economy andpracticability. One of the features common to the two modified formsshownin Figures 3 and 7, and also included in the form shown in Figure2, involving the feature of looking the end of the cord upon the upperend ofthe fastener when withdrawn downward within the aperture 'i andbelow the upper face Ia of the bottom slat I, is, that the wall of theaperture serves to render the detachable connection inaccessible, andalso serves as a locking or sealing means to prevent lateral movementofV the cord end, and thus prevent disengagement of the cord end fromthe head portion of the fastener. This is true whether the body portionof the fastener is in the form of a threaded stem portion 5 with ahooked head portion 4, as shown in Figures 2 and S, or whether the bodyportion is in the form of a tubular member as shown in Figure 7. Ineither of these forms, in order to effect a detachable connectionbetween the cord end and the head portion of the fastener, it isrequired to move the cord end laterally to and from a position orareaoutside of the aperture, in order to effect either the attachment ordetachment of the cord end with the head portion of the fastener. It isthis feature which makes the locking feature possible when the headportion of the fastener with the cord end detachab-ly secured thereto,is drawn within the aperture below the top face of the bottom slat.

Referring particularly to the modified form shown in Figures 3 and 4,the body portion of the fastener includes the stem portion 23 and thehooked head portion 3 I, the lower end of the stem portion having athreaded connection with the rotatable nut member 8. A detachableconnection with the end of the cord 6 may be provided by a loopedportion formed in the end of the natural cord by a knot I8 or othermeans, such for example, as by splicing. Preferably, the hooked end 3lis formed so as to provide an opening or passage 32, at one side,through which the cord may pass in forming the detachable conneotionwith the head of the fastener as the looped or knottedY end of thenatural cord is passed over the end of the hooked portion. When theknotted cord end I8 and the hooked end 3l of the fastener are withdrawnin the aperture l, it will be impossible to slide the loop portion ofthe cord from the open end 32 of the hooked portion EI because the faceor side wall of the aperture prevents such removal. The detachment oithe cord end from the head portion cannot be readily effected by untyingthe knot, because the knot portion I8 itself, is withdrawn within theaperture I below the top face Ia of the bottom slat.

As shown in Figure 3, a modified form of washer may be employed in whichthe washer 9 which may be retained in position on the bottom face Ib ofthe bottom slat I by screws or projecting detents I0', by employingprojecting ear portions I9, the ends of which may be bent inward so asto be guided over an annular ange 20 on the nut 8 (Figure 3) so as topermit the nut 8 torotate in either direction, but yet retain the nut 8in proper relative assembled position against the bottom face Ib of thebottom slat I. This feature has some practical advantage, in that itpermits the nut to be retained in proper position on the bottom slat,after the end of the cord 6 has been disconnected from the head of thefastener.

A further modified form is shown in Figures '7 to 9 inclusive, whereinthe body portion 24 of the fastener is shown as tubular sleeve-likemember having a head portion 30 which may be formed integrally with thebody portion 24 or formed as a separate head portion andintegrallysecured to the body portion in a conventional manner wellknown to those familiar with the art. A base or bottom 25, is providedto close the lower portion of the sleeve-like body 24, and such base 25may also be formed as an integral portion of the tubular body 24, or maybe formed as a separate member and integrally secured to the lowerportion of the body 24 in a conventional manner well known to thosefamiliar with the art. Preferably, in order to facilitate manufactureand assembly, either the head portion 30 or the base portion 25 is madeas a separate member to be later secured in proper position in asuitable manner; such an arrangement may permit the tubular body portion26 with one end,

to be formed as an integral cup-like member by a stamping and drawingoperation.

The head portion 30 is provided with a slotted aperture 2S extendingfrom the central portion of the head 30 radially outward to one side ofthe tubular body 24 and communicates with an aperture 2I formed in theside wall of the body 24 just below the head portion 30. (See Figures 7,8 and 9.) Such a feature of construction enables the looped or knottedend I8 of the natural cord 6 to be passed through the aperture 21 from azone or area to one side of, or outside of, the body 24 so that theknotted end I8 is moved from said outer zone or area, laterally of thebody 24. The portion of the cord 6 immediately above the knotted end I8,will pass laterally of the body 24 through the radially extending slot26, in the head 30. The above feature of construction is related to thelocking feature of the present disclosure, wherein when the body 24 ofthe fastener is moved vertically upward so that the upper portionincluding the head 3d, and the aperture Z'I. is above the top face I aof the bottom slat, the knotted end I3 of the cord may be freely passedto and from said outer zone or area, through the aperture 2l, in orderto effect a detachable connection between the natural end of the cord 6,and the head and body portion of the fastener, without the necessity forthe use of a separate and independent adapter fitting (such as themember 3 of Figure 1) permanently secured to the end of the cord E, in amanner such as is required in prior art structures. It will be clear,from Figure '7, that when the body portion 24 of the fastener is drawnor adjusted vertically to a position wherein the side aperture 21 isbelow the top face I a of the bottom slat, and the head 36 is eithersubstantially flush with or below the top face I a of the bottom slat,that the knotted end I8 of the cord S is effectively locked in position,because the side aperture 27 is closed or sealed by the side wall orface of the aperture 'I which passes through the bottom slat from thetop face Ia, to the bottom face Ib.

As a means of effecting the vertical movement or adjustment of thetubular body 24, within the aperture 'I, a modiiied structure such asthat shown in Figure 7 may be employed, wherein a threaded stem portion28 is carried by and preferably formed integrally with, the head 29 of anut member, said threaded stem 28 being received in a correspondinglythreaded aperture 34 of the base 25 at the bottom of the tubular body24. If desired, in order to strengthen the structure at the threadedconnection where a substantial portion of the load of the Venetian blindis carried, a more extended threaded area or connection may be providedby employing a threaded sleeve portion or bushing 34. It will be clearthat to effect vertical adjustment in either one direction or the other,that such movement and adjustment may be readily eifected by rotatingthe nut member 29 (Figure 7) in one direction or the other, dependingupon whether it is desired to render the means for effecting adetachable connection between the end of the natural cord and thefastener, either accessible or inaccessible.

The nut 29 may be of an ornamental character if desired, or may be of aform and structure as to receive and support an ornamental xture or thelike, if desired. Preferably, means are provided and associated with therotatable nut 2S similar to those already referred to in connection withthe description of the rotatable nut member 8 in Figure 2, wherein awasher 9 may be secured by screws I0 or other suitable means, to thelower face Ib of the bottom slat. The washer 9 may be provided with tabsor extensions I9 extending from the perimeter of the washer at a numberof points, and bent outwardly about a flange portion 20 on the nut, insuch a manner that the nut may be retained in proper position on thebottom face Ib of the slat I even though the body portion 24 be adjustedvertically upward to a position wherein the base 25 is disengaged fromthe threaded stem 28. If desired, although it is not essential, suitablemeans (similar to those shown in Figures 3 and 4) may be employed toprevent relative rotation between the tubular body portion 24, and thewall of the aperture 'I in the bottom slat I.

As shown in the modication of Figures 3 and 4, relative verticalmovement between the head portion 3| and the walls of the aperture I,upon rotation of the nut member 8, may be eiected by providing a sleeve2| within the aperture 'I, said sleeve being provided on opposite wallsthereof, with an inwardly extending slotted aperture 2I adapted toreceive opposite sides of the hooked head 3| upon rotation of the nut 8in threaded engagement with the lower end of the stem 23, the hookedhead 3l may be moved upwardly or downwardly, but is restrained againstrotary movement, by reason of opposite sides of the head portion 3|being positioned and disposed within the slot 2|.

While a preferred form and certain modifications of the detachablefastener for the cord ends of a Venetian blind have been shown anddescribed herein, it is understood that various changes andmodifications in detailed structure, may be made by those skilled in andfamiliar with the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a Venetian blind, a self-locking detachable cord-fastener andbottom slat-supporting device, adapted to be detaohably connected to thelower end of a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind and to thebottom slat of the blind, said slat having an aperture therein, saiddetachable fastener including an adjustable body within saidl aperturehaving an upper head end accessible above the top face of the bottomslat in one position of said body, for eifecting a detachable connectionbetween the fastener and the cord, and in another position of said bodyinaccessible below said face, whereby the walls of the aperture serve asa locking means to prevent disengagement by relative lateral movement ofthe end of the cord from the upper head end of said body portion of saidfastener.

2. The device dened in claim 1 wherein said body extends below thebottom face of the bottom slat and is vertically adjustable through theaperture in said bottom slat and the head portion of said body isprojectable above the upper face of the bottom slat.

3. In a Venetian blind, a self-locking detachable cord-fastener andbottom slat-supporting device, adapted to be detachably connected to thelower end of a raising and lowering cord of a Venetian blind and to thebottom slat of the blind, said slat having an aperture therein, saiddetachable fastener including an adjustable body within said aperturehaving an upper head end accessible above the top face of the bottomslat, in'one position of said body for eifecting a detachable connectionbetween the fastener and the cord, and in another position of said bodyinaccessible below said face, said head portion including means tofacilitate detachable connection with the end of the cord by movementlaterally of the adjacent cord end, and means adjustable on the bottomportion of the body and accessible from the bottom face of the bottomslat to drawv the upper head portion of the body with the cord attachedthereto, downward within the aperture during normal support and use ofthe bottom slat in the blind, whereby the walls of the aperture serve asa locking and confining means to prevent lateral disengagement of thecord from the head portion of the body.

4. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said adjustable means disposedon the bottom portion of the body and accessible from the bottom face ofthe bottom board includes a bolt member having the upper face of itshead in engagement with the bottom face of the bottom board to carry theload or weightimposed on the end of the cord, said bolt member having athreaded portion thereon, and wherein the lower portion of the body isthreaded whereby the upper head end of the body portion may be renderedreadily accessible by being moved upward above the top face of thebottom slat above the aperture, by rotation of the bolt member, tofacilitate detachment of the end of the cord from the upper end of saidbody, without the necessity of disengagement of said nut from the lowerend of said body.

5. The device defined in claim 3 and including a coiled spring disposedwithin the aperture through said bottom slat and interposed between saidupper head end of said body, and the means adjustable on the lower end.

6. The device defined in claim 3 and including a looped end portion onthe cord, said head oi the body for effecting a detachable connectionwith the end of the cord including a portion movable with said body toreceive said looped portion of the cord end by a lateral movementthereof.

'7. The device donned in claim 3 and including a looped portion of thecord, said head portion of the body portion including a hooked portionadapted to effect a detachable connection with said cord by relativelateral movement into cooperative engagement.

8. The device deiined in claim 3 wherein said means adjustable on thebottom portion of the body, includes a bolt-like member in threadedengagement with the lower end of said body to draw the upper headportion of the body with the detachable connection with the cord end,within the aperture through said bottom slat,

9. Thedevice deiined in claim 3 wherein said body portion is verticallyadjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in said aperture.

10. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion isvertically adjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in saidaperture, said tubular member including a top and base, said top havinga radially extending slot extending from the center outward to the sidewall, said side wall having an aperture below and connected to saidslot, adapted to receive a knotted end of the oord, as the cord portionabove said knot is passed through said slot, whereby when said tubularbody is drawn within the aperture through the bottom slat, the wall ofsaid aperture seals the aperture in the side wall of said tubular memberand prevents detachment of the cord end from the tubular member, whiiethe head portion is within said aperture.

11. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion isvertically adjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in saidaperture, said tubular member including a top and base, and including athreaded connection between the base of said tubular member, and themeans adjustable on the bottom portion of the body and accessible fromthe bottom face of the bottom slat.

l2. The device defined in claim 3 wherein said body portion isvertically adjustable and includes a tubular member, slidable in saidaperture, said tubular member including a top and base and including athreaded connection between the base of said tubular member and themeans adjustable on the bottom portion of the body and accessible fromthe bottom face of the bottom slat and including positioning means forsaid last named adjustable means, secured to the bottom face of thebottom slat and disposed between said bottom face oi said slat and saidmeans adjustable on the bottom portion of the tubular body, saidpositioning means including means cooperating with the adjustable meansto prevent displacement and permit relative rotation thereof.

.1.3. The device defined in claim 3 and including guiding means disposedin the aperture through the bottom slat and cooperating with saidadjustable means to restrain the head portion with the cord end attachedthereto, against rotation within said aperture, upon rotary movement yofsaid adjustable means to eiect vertical adjustment of said head portionto either an accessible or inaccessible position.

14. The device denedin claim 3 and including guiding means disposed inthe aperture through the bottom slat and cooperating with saidadjustable means to restrain the head portion with the cord end attachedthereto, against rotation within said aperture upon rotary movement ofsaid adjustable means to effect vertical adjustment of said head portionto either an accessible or inaccessible position, said guiding meansincluding a tubular member having a slot substantially parallel to theaxis thereof adapted to receive and guide a portion of the head torestrain the same `against rotation within the aperture but yet topermit vertical movement Within the aperture.

JOHN GULAS, Se.

